Brand Review of Leupold Scopes: A Century-Old Family Company And Their Versatile Scopes

Have you been shopping around for a new scope or are buying one for the first time? While all scopes are designed to help you see your target clearly, the price, quality, and design varies greatly. Let's start with the Leupold scopes.

With so many scopes on the market, it can be challenging to decide which model and brand to choose. Ideally, a scope should last you decades, if not a lifetime. Also, it depends on how much money you spend it can be quite the investment.

 In our review, we will discuss the , the history of the company, and the Leupold scopes. With all this information, you should be able to determine whether or not the Leupold brand is the right choice.

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A History Of The Leupold Brand

Leupold Scopes

These days it can be hard to find a family-owned business that has been around for decades, let alone over a century.

Leupold is a family-owned business and is based out of Beaverton, Oregon.

Here are some of the highlights of how the company got its start and where it is today:

The Telemark

In 1907, Fred Leupold Adam Volpel, friends and brothers-in-law, started a business of making surveying equipment by hand. In 1914, Leupold’s son, Marcus, joins the company. It was that same year that J.C. Stevens becomes a business partner and invents the first water level recorder.

He then continued to invent and improve surveying equipment in 1938. The Telemark, a water level recorder using telephone signals to transmit information, is introduced by the growing company. The following year, Robert Stevens, J.C.’s son, joins the business.

In 1942, after the passing of Volpel, the business name changed to Leupold & Stevens. Two years later, Fred Leupold passes away and his son, Norbert, joins the company.

In 1947, Leupold & Stevens created and sold their first scope, The Plainsman. The scope was designed after Marcus Leupold supposedly missed a trophy buck due to a fogged-up scope.

The company became incorporated two years later. They were well on their way to making and selling scopes when Jack Slack joined the company in 1953. Slack then married Marcus Leupold’s daughter, Georgia, a few years later.

In 1962, Leupold introduced their classic and ever-popular Duplex reticle. With the technology in scopes, accuracy and clarity became even better in low-light conditions.

Norbert took over the company in 1968 and that same year they moved to bigger headquarters. The first lightweight scope was created in 1974 and four years later, the first compact scope. In the early 1980’s, Leupold began making smaller scopes for handguns.

Leupold scopes used by the military

It was in 1983 when Werner Wildauer, became the president and chairman of the company. He has been serving the company for 25 years. In the following years, Leupold scopes are used in military and remain a favorite in the field and forest. A long line of innovators and hunting experts created the brand. 

Many of the scopes sold today are new and improved versions of age-old designs. The quality and craftsmanship remain today, and the company still operates out of Oregon despite its popularity across the globe.


A Look At Leupold Scopes

Leupold scopes

Now that you know more about the family business that has grown into the successful company that it is today let’s take a closer look at the variety of Leupold scopes.

As a brand review of Leupold scopes, we won’t discuss each scope but will take a look at the different types of scopes.

Leupold Riflescopes

The first Leupold scope was created after Marcus Leupold became frustrated with a fogged up scope. Determined to make a better scope, the Leupold scopes were born and have been fogproof ever since The Plainsman went on the market.

Leupold riflescopes are also waterproof, shockproof, and durable enough to handle the recoil of a rifle.

Here are the current Leupold scopes for rifles (click on each one to see the variety of magnification options and other specific features):

The VX Series:

VX-6HD | VX-5HD | VX-3i | VX-3i LRP | VX R | VX R Patrol | VX-Freedom

The Mark Series:

Mark 8 | Mark 6 | Mark 4 ER/T | Mark 4 LR/T | Mark 4 MR/T | Mark AR | Mark 5HD

Rifleman

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RimFire/Ultralight

 

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Fixed Power

 

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Competition

 

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Amarican Marksman

 

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Leupold Shotgun & Muzzleloader Scopes

Leupold Scopes

These Leupold scopes are designed to help hunters get hit their target fast, thanks to the clarity and ability to perform well even in low-light environments. Here are current scopes for shotguns and muzzleloaders (click on each one to see the variety of magnification options and other specific features):

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Leupold Handgun Scopes

Leupold Scopes

Leupold handgun scopes may be considerably smaller than some of the other scopes, but they are designed to be just as accurate and durable as other Leupold scopes.

Here are current scopes for handguns (click on each one to see the variety of magnification options and other specific features):

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Leupold Compact or Lightweight Scopes

Lightweight Scopes

In our brand review of Leupold scopes, you will notice that many of the scopes are more substantial and a little heavier.

The Ultralight scopes weigh about a quarter less than other full-size scopes but have all the same characteristics that Leupold fans love. Why buy a compact or lightweight scope? It’s the ideal option if you want to keep your firearm light.

Here are the current compact or lightweight scopes:

VX Series:

VX-6HD | VX-5HD | VX-3i | VX R | VX R Patrol | VX-Freedom


Mark 4 MR/T

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Hog Rifle

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Hand Gun

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Shotgun/Muzzleloader

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Mark 5 HD

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Note: Many of the Tactical and Long Range Scopes also fit into the categories we listed above. Click on the category to see the Leupold scope options.

What Makes Leupold Scopes Unique?

Now that you’ve seen all the Leupold scopes that are available it’s safe to say that the company is versatile, which is a prominent characteristic that stems back to the company’s early years. While many companies specialize in scopes, few offer dozens of options and versatility.

Not only is Leupold unique for its diversity and versatility but each scope, regardless of its size, is built to last, and is designed to help marksmen improve their accuracy and see a target more clearly.

Pricing

The cost of a Leupold scope varies depending on the type of scope you purchase. While the VX-Freedom riflescope costs around $260, a Mark 5 HD riflescope costs about $2,600.

If you’ve never purchased a scope before, you may be hesitant to buy a scope with a high price tag. Keep in mind that these scopes are built to last and Leupold backs up their scopes with a lifetime warranty.

Warranty Information

Leupold will repair or replace any of its riflescopes, spotting scopes, or binoculars if it doesn’t work as guaranteed. There’s no need to provide proof of ownership or have a warranty card. There’s no expiration date on the warranty, and you don’t even need to be the original owner of the scope; as long as it says Leupold, that’s all they need.

Scopes that are modified, damaged, or misused may be ineligible for a replacement. For more detailed information on the warranty or to register a scope, visit the Leupold website.


What Others Say About Leupold Scopes

While the Leupold company has a long history of making high-quality products, we were curious if the quality of the products still holds up today and what other scope owners had to say about the Leupold brand.

As we browsed online reviews, testimonials, and product comments, the company had overwhelmingly positive feedback, and many product ratings were at least four out of five stars.

Pros:

Many users remark on the durability and the craftsmanship of the variety of scopes. They don’t feel like they need to worry about damaging their scope while they’re hiking around the woods or working on target practice.

Other users praise the high-quality glass and the scope’s water and fog proof features. The quality of the glass and the clarity that remains despite the rain, sun, fog, or clouds, is one of the top-selling features of Leupold scopes.

Some reviewers are lifelong users of the Leupold brand and remain happy with each scope they purchase. They believe that the newer scopes hold up to the same quality of scopes that are decades old.

The majority of users, whether they bought a riflescope or a handgun scope, appreciated the ease of use and how well it performed each time they used the scope. Many say that they have become better marksmen and enjoy using their firearms much more now that they have a high-quality scope.

Cons:

While some users had issues with the warranty and a few thought the price of their scope was too high, a majority of users think that the price of their Leupold scope is “well worth the money;” some even called it a bargain, given the quality of the scope.


How Do Leupold Scopes Differ From Other Competitors?

We’ve already highlighted what makes the Leupold brand unique, but those same features are what makes them stand out from the competition. While there are several high-quality, big name, and high-priced scope manufacturers, Leupold continues to succeed.

While many people might see their dozens of scope options as something negative, many scope users like having magnification options as gun owners use scopes differently. Rarely are scopes universal and Leupold knows that each type of gun deserves a specific scope.

Some people shy away from Leupold, based on the price alone. It’s important to remember that Leupold has a lifetime guarantee and other manufacturers that offer similar style scopes at a lower price don’t stand behind their products for a lifetime.

As we mentioned earlier, each Leupold scope is durable and can withstand daily use and withstand all kinds of environments; other scopes aren’t always designed with that same durability or reliability.

What We Think About The Leupold Brand


While it would take a long time to test out every scope that Leupold makes personally, we are confident in saying that the Leupold brand makes high-quality, durable, and reliable scopes for all types of guns.


A Leupold scope is ideal for a hunter or gun enthusiast who uses their firearm responsibly on a regular basis and cares more about the quality of the product than a cheap price tag. Leupold scopes are a good option for anyone who wants a scope that they can use confidently for decades.


People who have never used a scope before may be hesitant to try out a Leupold scope, especially given the price, but it may enhance and improve their hunting experience so much that they choose to use a Leupold scope for life.


If you’re unsure the Leupold brand is for you, ask your family and friends to see if they have a Leupold scope you could test out. While we’re confident that it will improve your shot and your overall experience, you might need to find out for yourself.

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